I mentioned in December that I would like to do a No Spend Month in February. For me, I see a no spend month as spending only on necessities. And to really consider what the necessities are! Is renting a movie a necessity? Are vitamins a necessity for one month? Are Valentine's a necessity? Can I clean the shower with a homemade concoction with ingredients on hand?
I feel there needs to be a little planning involved in order to make this happen. We will pay our rent, utilities, any tuition and books, flute lessons, fuel for our vehicles to get around to school and work, and buy the minimum groceries. The other part of the plan is to make sure that the family is on board, specifically my husband. I think he may think I'm a bit crazy. I've done No Spend months before, but he was usually living out of the country! 
With February comes Valentine's Day. I decided to set aside some chocolate caramels we received as a gift for Christmas and use those as our candy for Valentine's. I have six Valentine cards and the same number of stamps, if I decide to send them. Again, there will need to be an agreement with husband not to buy flowers and cards!
There will be more planning. Specifically meal planning. I'll share more about that as I get that part together!
Some of you are doing a No Spend Month in January. How is that going? Did you plan ahead to make it work? What advice do you have for a No Spend Month?
No Spend Month Planning
January 3rd, 2016 at 03:05 pm
January 3rd, 2016 at 04:35 pm 1451838935
January 3rd, 2016 at 05:40 pm 1451842857
I didn't do any particular planning - but we don't really have any holidays or birthdays this month either (part of the draw of January). I'm not counting anything entertainment-related outside of our usual subscriptions (we have Netflix, Amazon prime, etc). So I would count renting movies against (we can watch them on those services or get them from the library). We also do a lot of board game and dinner nights with friends. That usually comes along with increased spending on groceries/drinks, but as long as we keep that within budget, it doesn't count against it.
I'm feeling excited! It puts things in perspective and feels like a game.
January 3rd, 2016 at 06:56 pm 1451847367
January 3rd, 2016 at 11:07 pm 1451862442
My plan is to keep any spending I do (outside of monthly bills) to one day per week - and that is just for groceries, medication, gas, etc. Paying copays for my doctor appt on the 28th I don't think counts. I'm going to try to keep what I do buy for groceries on a very basic level. Just what is essential for the coming week. No fast food trips or eating out (that I have to pay for at least.)
January 3rd, 2016 at 11:22 pm 1451863326
I do think that our meals may be simplier for the month...healthy, less extravagant. Probaly zero eating out, which is usually one or twice a month at the most. Usually Subway, too!